Pick Up Golf

Question: Am i too old to start learning golf?

(Posted by: sunsets524 on 2009-07-22 16:34:00)

I'm 16 and EVERYONE in my family has been golfing like since they were 3. I've always wanted to learn but my dad always said that was a sport for just him & my brother. Now that I'm 16 apparently he thinks it's ok that I play too, but him & my brother keep commenting about how I'm too old to start now. Do I have a chance at actually getting good or am I wasting my time trying to learn?

Posted by: GBeck on 2009-07-22, 16:49:46

I wish I had been able to start golfing at 16. I started 2 years ago this month. I was 57 when I started. You are only wasting your time if you don't give it you best effort. If you want to get good, you will. I would suggest some lessons. If your dad is reluctant, tell him you want lessons for your birthday and/ or Christmas. Added: You may want to check and see if there is a First Tee Program in your area. Here is a link to the website: thefirsttee.org/ club/ scripts/ view/ view_insert.asp?IID= 49399 &NS= GI A friend's son is in it and he loves it. I see kids of all ages in the program at the course where I play. Good luck

Posted by: LAXFAN17 on 2009-07-22, 16:40:14

Of course. if you have a great interest for this sport then go for it. your brothers just probably too scared cause if you start and get good you just might be better than him.

Posted by: hagridxxxx on 2009-07-22, 16:40:54

I didn't start playing until I was 45,I am now 51. Am I any good? I am not great but I do win sometimes. Your never to old to learn how to play.

Posted by: jain quain M on 2009-07-22, 16:42:36

I think that you could learn to golf even if you are 16. You are never too old to do anything.

Posted by: anpsdp on 2009-07-22, 16:42:49

Im 24, and i just started playing on monday. this is something that you can do when you are 60. go out there and have loads of fun. you might not be tiger woods, but you will be shooting a good game in a month or so. I played on monday and I played today and shaved 7 strokes off my score. So practice, practice, practice, and you'll be fine.

Posted by: Ben on 2009-07-22, 16:49:46

Is that a joke? for one you are never too old to start learning golf. you can learn golf anytime and become good at it. look at boo weekley. he is a professional golfer and he started playing golf when he was 16. he has won many tournaments and was on the u.s. ryder cup team (thats really good) tell your dad that.

Posted by: Three Putt on 2009-07-22, 16:53:59

You definitely have a chance of "getting good ", making it on the ladies tour would be unlikely. You could be a good weekend golfer, sure. A lot of guys who start in their tees put all their emphasis on trying to hit 300-yard drives like the pros. In that regard, I actually think girls that start late have an advantage over guys that start late because girls may be more patient and willing to learn fundamentals rather than show off their distance. If you focus on the parts of the game that help you score (putting, short game and wedge play) you can become a good player even starting at 16.

Posted by: honestexpert on 2009-07-22, 16:54:22

Golf is a game for a lifetime. At 16 you are at the perfect age to begin recreational golf and enjoy time with your father and brother and the most wonderful people you will meet on the course. Be sure to make your first experience a good one. Select a few books, I reccommend "Golf My Way " by Jack Nicklaus. A Bible of sorts to many of the world's best players. Learn the language of golf is an essential since you may choose to take lessons some day. Your dollar will go further when you understand the words your instrucytor may use. If he or she tells you you are crossing the line at the top, know what that signifies and your lesson time will become much more valuable. Lessons are expensive from a one on one PGA or LPGA pro. Get yourself a few clubs that are within your budget. A driver with a graphite L-flex shaft, a six and eight iron and then a putter. Don't skimp on the putter. It will become your number one club no matter what level you try to play to. You don't need a range, weather is of no consequence and your best putting green is right at home, low nap carpet or even hard surface. Practice with music on or the TV but with full concentration during the address and playing of the stroke. Choose a used heel-toe weighted putter like a Ping Anser or the hundreds of knockoffs, (copies) of this design. Read that book and take notes. Get the grip right and go out and hit the ball as far as you can. When you get older you'll realize this is the time to "grip it and rip it " find your ball and smash it again. It's fun and that what recreational golf is all about. You will also discover that in a few years after college that golf transcends the game and becomes a social setting for business nd lifestyle. You are never too old or too young to play golf. Practice often and play to the best of your abilities. Block out "tips " from dad and rely on a sound approach to the game. There are no shortcuts and you can't buy a game. Welcome aboard, you are going to love the ride.

Posted by: Golfguy on 2009-07-22, 16:59:40

You are never too old... The game of golf is basically about being out there and enjoying yourself... It is very a meditative serene experience for me. I am nothing great and since i am no pro not every shot is perfect. As has been mentioned u should ask for lessons and not let ur family try and teach you. A professional can see and help with what they see wrong while family and friends can teach you bad habits that r hard to break... Us guys are the ones who play to be like Tiger Woods that is an exact precise type of sport. It's great for socializing and bonding or u can join a younger group at ur local course.

Posted by: ecrooney87 on 2009-07-22, 17:22:23

No you're never too old. I started when I was 23, I'm terrible, but I enjoy playing the game.

Posted by: Johnny H. on 2009-07-22, 19:02:24

Your never to old start golf unless your on your death bed... im 15 and i just started like 4 months ago... If you love the sport go out and try it... Who cares what they say. go out work hard but most importantly have fun playing...

Posted by: IceCube on 2009-07-22, 19:12:14

I think it's ok. Tell them you can beat them in six months.

Posted by: Jason G on 2009-07-22, 19:35:51

I started playing when I was 28. There is a picture of my in my family photo album of me playing when I was 4, but it was more me mimicking my dad. I didn't play when I was young. I've never had a lesson and I shoot low to mid 80's. You got plenty of time to learn and play well.

Posted by: Mary L on 2009-07-22, 20:53:38

My mother didn't learn golf until she was about 25, but she did very well and was club champion for quite a few years and played in and won regional tournaments. Go for it!

Posted by: green_lantern66 on 2009-07-23, 03:21:30

You're never too old. Sorry to say, but that's a little unfair by your dad. It might be the "guys thing ", but anyone can and should golf. To help speed things up, look into lessons. That'll get you up to speed in a hurry.

Posted by: Cookie O on 2009-07-23, 13:54:44

No, I started at 19 and I have been playing for a year, within three months you pretty much get the game down and could hold your own. Golf is a game for life, now if you want to become a professional, your chances are 30-70 that you might, but to become competitive you have a good chance, I have a friend who is 17 and playing since 4 and he got spanked by some old men who were 65 and started at 55.

Posted by: Mansor M on 2009-07-26, 01:16:58

It is definitely easier to learn golf if you were younger of age. However, it's not difficult to get hold of the golfing games even if you are an adult beginner. There are quite a few golfing tips for mid-aged persons who just started and trying to learn how to play golf. I began my golfing games in my mid twenties. I started just playing nine holes occasionally; shooting in high 50s. I worked hard on my short game and slowly progressed to eighteen holes. After a couple of months, I hit the green before and after a round. I was finally able to break 100. I soon realized I had some inconsistencies in my swings when I was playing on the green, I then took on some golf lessons, which I will mention later in this article.

Posted by: TJayDog on 2009-07-26, 01:26:49

Nothin is too late dear. I know a guy who started when he was 19 and he got his teaching pro's certificate when he was 24. Nothin is to late. You are never too old.